JohnRR I am using the Intellitronix brand of gages and also using a B&M temp gage that reads same number as an alternate. So I will try swap the sender to see if any change in readings.
Moparx I am agreeing with you and hoping its just the sender.
What was interesting that I forgot to post was that the IR temp gun pointed directly at the nut of the sender was reading 240. And the cast area around it was around 200.